Australian Citizenship Test Information.
You can become an Australian Citizen if you
- are an Australian Permanent Resident, and fulfill eligible residency and Australian knowledge requirements.
- are an eligible New Zealand citizen, and fulfill eligible residency and Australian knowledge requirements.
- were people born overseas to a parent who is or was an Australian citizen.
- and are of Good Character. (Criminal convictions may be taken into account).
To confirm that you have the “Australian knowledge requirements” most people need to sit a Citizenship test.
Applicants aged 17 and under, and those who are 60 and over at the time of application do not need to sit the test.
IMPORTANT: Failing the test does NOT affect your permanent visa or stop you from living in Australia.
Learn about the Australian Citizenship test and interview
At the test centre, a staff member will:
- Interview you.
- Verify your identity.
- Check your original documents.
- Take your photo.
- Confirm if you can take the test.
To prepare for the test you can:
-
- Read the Australian Citizenship – Our Common Bond: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/our-common-bond
- Watch the Citizenship Test – Resource video: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/watch-our-common-bond
- Do the Australian Citizenship – Practice Test: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/prepare-for-test/practice-test
The Australian citizenship test.
Australia’s citizenship test comprises 20 multiple-choice questions about Australia, its laws, its people, its democratic beliefs, rights, liberties and its.
Applicants must score 75% to pass (15 right) and may re-sit the test the same day if they fail.
You are allowed 45 minutes to complete the test, and may be permitted to re-sit the test the same day if they fail.
If you cannot read English, you can ask for an assisted test when you make your initial application.
You may be able to listen to the questions, instead of read them.
Changes to the Citizenship Test may happen at any time, with proposals being made to enhance the English language requirement, to ensure that all Australian Citizens have the ability to speak the language of their country.
Cost of Citizenship Test.
The current Cost for Citizenship, which includes the test fee is: $285
Citizenship Processing Times.
The current processing time for Australian Citizenship applications is:
- 75% were processed in 17 months or less in December 2018.
- 15% were processed between 17 months and 20 months.
- 10% were processed in over 20 months.
- These are the times for lodgement to decision (this includes refusals).
There is also a waiting period between the Citizenship application and the Citizenship Grant Ceremony, and this causes a larger waiting time from application to ceremony, as shown below:
The current processing time for Australian Citizenship Grants by conferral is:
- 75% were processed in 20 months or less in December 2018.
- 15% were processed between 20 months and 25 months.
- 10% were processed in over 25 months.
- These are the times for lodgement to Citizenship Ceremony.
Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen
Some Visa Applicants might find an Experienced Australian Migration Agent of great assistance.